Repairing a Faucet when Water Leaks under the Sink
Repairing a Faucet when Water Leaks under the Sink. A leaking faucet can be extremely frustrating and annoying because it makes a continuous noise. If the problem occurs under the sink then there are quite a few different things that you can do to repair the problem and stop the leaking faucet from being so annoying. If a leaking faucet isn’t caught early enough it can actually cause a lot of damage which can be extremely expensive. It’s essential that you repair the leaking faucets as quickly as possible.
Tools and Materials Needed:
Wrench
Pliers
Nuts
Pipes
Teflon tape
Knife
Step 1 – Identifying the Source of the Leak
Identify the cause of the leak under the sink. There are 2 different types of pipes which are under your sink, these are used to carry fresh water and also get rid of waste water. Make sure that you find out which pipes are causing the leak. If the problem is actually caused by a leak caused by the faucet under the sink then this is where you will need to concentrate your efforts.
To check that the drain pipes are ok you will need to fill the sink until it is almost full. Then dry all the pipes using an old towel. Keep on checking for leaks and try to identify the cause. It is probably caused by the fresh water pipes and the leak will generally be where they connect onto the faucet.
Step 2 – Preparation
You will need to shut off the water so that you can safely work on the plumbing. If there are shut-off valves for that specific run of pipe then use this, otherwise you will need to use the master shut off valve which could be located anywhere. Once the water is shut off open the faucets to allow all of the water to drain out. Make sure that there isn’t any water in your pipes before starting work.
Step 3 – Looking for the Leak
Now you have identified that the leak is caused by the faucet under the sink you will need to try and find out why it is leaking. There could be a crack in the pipes, the connection might not be good, or the valve might of gone.
Step 4 – Tightening Nuts
Sometimes the only problem is because the nuts under the sink have become lose. You might just need to tighten these nuts using a wrench. Once you do this you might be able to fix and resolve the leak.
Step 5 – More Drastic Measures
If this doesn’t work then you will need to undo the nuts under the sink. Use a basin wrench to loosen and undo these nuts. If you need to buy a replacement hose to connect the pipes then you will need to ensure you’re choosing the right type.
Step 6 – Dealing with Leaking Shut offs
If your shut off valve leaks then turn off the water at the main shutoff valve and then undo the shut off valve and replace. Sometimes these shutoff valves will wear out because they are getting too old.
